Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1887-07-23
TRUTH AND PROCESSION.

We live in a progressive age. and
that which under a former dispense.
ton might have been regarded as
Irrelevant and inapposite to the mis-.
sion of a party, may now be conSld.
cred within the scope OF party ac.
ton and demanding its recognition
and thoughtful deliberation. Parties
must abreast of the thought and in.
SEPARATION of the times. They are
the creatures of public sentiment
and must conform in their ideas and
policies to the influences which are
forming and crystalizing public
opinion. Otherwise they will be re-.
legated to the dry bones of the past
and take their place among the Oh.
solete issues which have been swept
over and buried beneath the live
and progressive influences which are
stirring the minds and hearts of the
people.
When possibly it is too late, both
the political parties now claiming
allegiance of the voters of the coun.
try may find that they have hesitat
ed and temporized too long with
great "moral question: and that
they have come short of the de.
mand of the public conscience in
failing TO face and seriously and
practically deal with an interest that
touches the hearts and homes Of
every family and duplicates the
well-beiDg of the nation.-What.
ever may be the effect upon the fn.
ture of parties, and whatever may
be the position present parties may
announce on this question, we feel
perfectly confident that we are only
anticipating the verdict of The
American people when we predict
that no political power will ever
again control the national govern.
ment that does not deal fairly and
honestly with the temperance is.
sue.
We recognize no organization,
political, moral or otherwise, except
the Republican party but this does
not abate our interests in "moral
questions " when it is proper to dis.
cuss them, or admonish us to remain
Indifferent and submissive, when we
see an organized effort made Ia
run the Republican party into Q
whiskey hole. 1t is then an ocea
sion tospeak out and make it known
that it is not the mission of the Re.
publican party, nor the purpose Of
the great majority of those who com
pose that organization and who are
devoted to it because of its relation
to "moral questions" as well as to
questions of administrative policy
affecting the welfare Of the Nation
But this question is not confined
to the moral phase of it, as that ex.
preston in this connection is com.
monty understood. The influence
emanating from it effects the whole
economy of the government, as well
as our national character, progress
and prosperity, 1t enters into our
industrial system: the productive
resources of the country; and men
tai and physical growth and yigor
of our people, and touches ct its
fountain source, every interest OF the
State and Nation. 1t is alnOs!
boundless in its influence for good
or evil, and is political in the best
and broadcast meaning of the term
Its agitation may disturb the plans
and schemes of trading politicians,
but it will have no deleterious effect
upon any interest of government,
of society, nor parties, if they have
for their aim the good of the country
as the paramount object. While We
do not propose to inject it into the
political contests Of the State, We
shall treat it fairly and justly when
it injects itself into the calculations
of partizan managers, and demand
Tor it that sincere and honest con
sideration that its far reaching and
deepsearching influence demands
Valley Virginian.